Penelope
"Penelope" is the story of a young woman, Penelope Wilhern (Christina Ricci), born to wealthy socialites (Richard E. Grant and Catherine O'Hara). Penelope is afflicted by a secret family curse that can only be broken when she is loved by one of her own kind. Hidden away in the family's majestic home, she is subjected to meeting a string of blue-bloods through her parent's futile attempt to marry her off and break the curse. Each suitor is instantly enamored with Penelope (and her sizable dowry)... until the curse is revealed.
When a willing mate cannot be found, mischievous tabloid reporter Lemon (Peter Dinklage) hires Max (James McAvoy) to pose as a prospective suitor in hopes of snapping a photo of the mysterious Penelope. Max, who is really a down-on-his-luck gambler, finds himself drawn to Penelope and not wanting to expose or disappoint her, disappears and leaves Lemon in the lurch. Fed up by this latest betrayal and determined to live life on her own terms, Penelope breaks free from her family and goes out into the world in search of adventure - curse be damned.
The feature filmmaking debut of director Mark Palansky, "Penelope" was produced by Reese Witherspoon, Scott Steindorff, and Jennifer Simpson, and written by Leslie Caveny.
Directed by
Mark Palansky
Cast
Christina Ricci - Penelope
James McAvoy - Max
Catherine O'Hara - Jessica Wilhern
Reese Witherspoon - Annie
Peter Dinklage - Lemon
Richard E. Grant - Franklin Wilhern
Simon Woods - Edward
Ronni Ancona - Wanda
Production Co.
Stone Village Entertainment
Tatira Active
Type A Films
Produced by
Dylan Russell
Robin Greenspun
Danny Greenspun
Studio
IFC Films
Writer
Leslie Caveny
Music
Joby Talbot
